HORSE SENSE
Periodic updates about issues and actions concerning New York City's Carriage Horses +
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
www.banhdc.org
Horses Without Carriages International
www.horseswithoutcarriages.org
PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ** Sign our petition to ban horse-drawn carriages ** Jane Velez-Mitchell on the carriage horse issue ** Letters to the editor ** NOTE: we often show you sad and depressing pictures because that is what this business is about. But today, I want to share pictures of a beautiful Percheron named Teddy who has graced our pages before. Teddy is a rescued, former Boston carriage horse who was on his way to the slaughter auctions because of unsightly sarcoids on his body when an angel rescued him. He now lives in Massachusetts with his mama Sarah. Teddy is one happy boy - I love the way he is kicking up his heels. The best thing is that he no longer pulls carriages.
SIGN OUR PETITION TO BAN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES IN NYC
to Mayor and City Council
We realize that Mayor deBlasio has only been in office for less than two months and he has many challenges. But we want to let him know that there are many people who want the inhumane and unsafe carriage trade shut down - and we want it soon. We have not gone away. So please click here to sign the petition and please share it with your friends and colleagues.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL ON THE CARRIAGE HORSE ISSUE
interview with Donny Moss - director of Blinders
For four months, the media has been promoting the carriage horse drivers with articles that are not fact checked. Instead of producing a fair and balanced report, it is very one sided. This goes for virtually all of the newspapers and TV stations. I recently reported that PIX 11 lied to me and said that a scheduled interview needed to be canceled because they could not get a carriage driver to participate. Then I saw that they did a one on one interview with said driver. The reporter did not know the issue and did not challenge anything she said. When I complained to the station, I was ignored.
So a big thanks to Jane Velez-Mitchell who did a great job on Friday night - 2/21 taking on this issue. Please click here to see the interview of Donny Moss.
HELP THE COALITION FUND RAISE BY BUYING PRODUCTS
and help yourself also - read below
We'd like to do more advertising - maybe billboards or more bus ads like we did last year, but we need a steady source of income. As you know, we are all volunteer and collect no salaries. All donations go into the organization for our expenses such as this newsletter, web site, copying, posters and advertising. The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages is teaming up with Earth and Animal Wellness, LLC
They are helping us with fundraising and can also help you with animal friendly/kid friendly products that are less expensive than Walmart and made here in the U.S. If you want to know more, email Cindy Wines at cindy@Earthandanimalwellness.com or look up her Earth and Animal Wellness Blog.
Cindy is helping Orphan Acres in Idaho and Big Cat Rescue in Florida to earn money for the animals and their programs. She has always been interested in our cause and now she wants to help us. Please take the time to look around the site and get an understanding of how every time you shop on line for great products, 5% can go to us. Learn more by contacting Cindy Wines - cindy@Earthandanimalwellness.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Times Ledger by Elizabeth Forel
Horse Carriage Drivers Need to Upgrade - 2/10/14 - Anyone facing layoffs or job closings would be concerned for their future livelihood, but the situation with the carriage trade is different. The drivers are not only concerned but they want it their way or no way at all.
The inhumane and unsafe conditions had come to the attention of the public years ago, but nothing could be done because of their political connections. It was only a matter of time for the political climate to change and all the previous protections would no longer be there. Now things are different, but the drivers are not willing to accept the reality.
The drivers and their PR firm have schemed to put out exaggerations about their business to make it seem like it existed longer, more people would be affected, the horses are considered family, they have real union jobs and our campaign is all about a stable land grab.
That is false. The present trade started in the 1940s, only 160 people would be affected, the Teamster local affiliation is not a union shop and the accusation of the real estate developer who wants the stables sounds like code for anti-Semitism.
As for the pro-industry bill that passed in 2009, one of the most obscene rules was to require a five-week furlough for the horses - ignoring the fact that horses need daily turnout to pasture, which they cannot get. The city Health Department did not require a list of farms nor inspections. It has been reported that when many horses return from furlough, they look worse than when they left.
State Sen. Tony Avella's (D-Bayside) suggestion to convert the carriages to motorized units is excellent and inexpensive. It already exists and can be seen at andrescarrigetours.com.
The drivers do not have to lose their jobs - they just have to move into the 21st century.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Ourtown/West Side Spirit - Elizabeth Forel
Letters to the editor - 2/18/14 -
Sales records are not required by the Department of Health if a carriage horse is sold outside NYC as most are. Horses can be sent to auction/slaughter with no accountability by the owners. The City and State bills that seek to ban horse-drawn carriages attempt to remedy this and assure that horses are not sent to kill auctions.
NYC has provided lucrative conditions to carriage drivers to earn a living, giving them the opportunity to work in Central Park during the day and in many other tourist areas at night. In return, the owners should be required to be accountable for their horses when they are no longer wanted. There needs to be mutual dialogue as to how this shut-down will happen - not bluster and certainly not lies.
There is a huge turnover of horses in the NYC carriage trade - 529 horses in 7 � years. With no accountability for their whereabouts - whether they are considered property or not - this is simply not right.
A TYPICAL MEDIA PRO CARRIAGE TRADE STORY
my response below
This article was published in Small Business Trends - 2/21/14 -- Horse and Carriage Controversy Threatens Small Carriage Owners I generally do not comment on blogs - it has turned out to be a huge time waster. But I decided to comment on this one. This is my comment below:
Joshua Sophy:
- there may be 300 or so people who have licenses but many are part time, live in other cities and countries - and manage their medallions from afar. Even Steve Malone admits to there being about 150 people in the business who are making their living from it.
- It is not known how much the carriage trade contributes to the NYC tax base because it is made up of many different businesses that are cash only. The number you quote is pure fabrication and was an ESTIMATE created by NY Class when they tried to compare the carriages with electric cars. Think "cash only" and then tell me how much these owners declare on their income tax and that goes into the tax coffers of NYC.
- The City Council has not "stopped" the mayor in his tracks. Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito is committed to a ban of this inhumane and unsafe business. This takes time and must be done right.
- Why is this tiny group of people more worthy of keeping their jobs than any other group of people who have lost theirs due to gentrification of neighborhoods or their businesses being obsolete - as this one is. Explain please. I am sure many unemployed people would love to hear this one.
- Finally the City of New York no longer wants to be a patsy to this tiny trade They will no longer subsidize a stable as they did with Shamrock Stable that closed in 2010. The City charged them $5000 a month rent when the market rate was $60,000. The City also picked up the tab to outfit the stable to the tune of $500,000. You say your publication is about small business. How many small businesses do you know that were on the City dole for years and years?
- We have suggested retrofitted carriages - the type that is shown here: http://www.andrescarriagetours.com. How many other small businesses get something handed them on a platter. Most people have to recreate themselves or stump the pavement looking for another job.
[Edited by Editor to remove personal comments]
Our organization began this campaign in 2006. We are all volunteer and have no conflicts of interest.
(these are the comments removed from the blog that I wrote: "Responsible journalists check facts. You have simply taken erroneous information you have seen on other sites and duplicated it. You may have 15 years in the business. It does not show."
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"Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever
has." Margaret Mead.
